Kitchen renovation cost guide UK 2026.
An honest breakdown of what a kitchen renovation actually costs in the UK this year, from budget flat-pack refits to fully bespoke installations. Based on our twenty years of quoting and building kitchens across Herefordshire and the surrounding counties.
The honest answer: it depends, but here are the numbers
The question we get asked most often is "how much does a new kitchen cost?" and the honest answer involves a range wide enough to make people nervous. A kitchen renovation in the UK in 2026 can run anywhere from around £5,000 for a basic budget refit to £50,000 or more for a large bespoke project with premium materials and significant building work.
That range isn't useful on its own, so let's break it down by what actually eats the budget.
Where the money goes: a typical breakdown
On a mid-range bespoke kitchen (the kind we build most often), the budget typically splits roughly like this:
- Cabinetry and joinery (35-45%): This is the largest single cost. Flat-pack units from a big-box retailer start around £2,000-£4,000 for a full kitchen. Bespoke cabinetry built in a workshop from solid timber or painted MDF with solid wood frames starts around £8,000 and can run to £25,000 or more for a large kitchen with complex corner solutions, integrated pantries, and bespoke island units.
- Worktops (10-20%): Laminate worktops start at £500-£1,000 installed. Solid wood (oak, walnut) runs £1,500-£3,500. Granite and quartz composites (Silestone, Caesarstone) typically £2,500-£5,000 depending on the material and edge profile. Marble is higher again, around £4,000-£8,000 for a full kitchen run.
- Appliances (15-25%): A basic appliance package (oven, hob, extractor, fridge-freezer, dishwasher) starts at about £2,000 for entry-level brands. Mid-range (Bosch, Neff, Siemens) runs £4,000-£7,000. Premium (Miele, Sub-Zero, Wolf) can reach £15,000-£25,000.
- Installation labour (15-20%): Fitting a kitchen typically takes one to three weeks depending on complexity. Labour costs in the Midlands and West Country run £2,500-£6,000 for a straightforward install. Projects involving wall removal, replumbing, or rewiring add £2,000-£8,000.
- Electrics and plumbing (5-10%): Moving a sink, adding under-cabinet lighting, installing a boiling-water tap, rewiring for a new oven circuit. These smaller jobs add up quickly. Budget £1,000-£3,000 as a contingency.
Three real-world budget tiers
Budget refit: £5,000-£12,000
New flat-pack units from Howdens, IKEA, or Wren, installed by a local fitter. Laminate or solid wood worktops. Keeping existing plumbing and electrics in their current positions. Painting the walls yourself. This is a perfectly good kitchen if the layout already works and you're not chasing bespoke details.
Mid-range bespoke: £18,000-£35,000
This is the bracket where most of our projects land. Bespoke cabinetry built in our workshop, quartz or granite worktops, mid-range appliances, new lighting, and typically some replumbing. The kitchen is designed specifically for the room rather than assembled from standard modules. The result is furniture-quality cabinetry that fits the space exactly, with none of the filler panels and awkward gaps that flat-pack units require.
Premium bespoke: £35,000-£60,000+
A large kitchen with an island, premium materials throughout (marble worktops, hand-painted solid timber, brass hardware), high-end appliances, and potentially structural work such as wall removal or a rear extension. These projects are typically managed as full renovations rather than just kitchen installations.
Honest ways to reduce the cost
Over twenty years of kitchen work, we've seen what actually saves money versus what just delays costs. Here are the approaches that genuinely work:
- Keep the sink and cooker where they are. Moving plumbing and gas is expensive. If the current layout functions well, work with it.
- Choose quartz over marble. Quartz composites look similar to marble, cost 30-50% less, and don't require sealing or maintenance. For most families, it's the better material.
- Paint rather than replace. Existing solid-wood or MDF cabinet carcasses that are structurally sound can be repainted and refitted with new doors, handles, and worktops. This can save £5,000-£10,000 compared to a full replacement.
- Prioritise the appliances you actually use. A £3,000 range cooker is wasted if you mostly reheat and microwave. Spend the appliance budget on the things you use daily and go mid-range on the rest.
- Don't over-specify lighting. Under-cabinet LED strips and a few well-placed pendants do the job. Elaborate smart-lighting systems add thousands and most people end up using two settings.
Getting a quote from us
Every project begins with a site visit. We measure the room, talk through what you want, and provide a written quote within about two weeks. The quote is itemised so you can see exactly where each pound is going. There's no charge for the initial visit or the quote. If the numbers work, we agree a timeline and get started.